The Star Chamber at Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory

Renowned artist Chris Drury has created a one-of-a-kind sculpture at Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.

The domed structure is made from native stone (excavated from the main Vanderbilt campus) and has an aperture in the top that allows images from the sky to be reflected onto white-washed walls of the interior. The chamber also functions as a huge sundial which marks the passing of the seasons by projecting a noon-day image of the sun on an analemma.

Year-to-year if one marks the noonday sun, it will precisely follow the analemma's figure eight pattern falling on the interior of the chamber. The body of the chamber is surrounded by a spiral, a galaxy-like formation of placed limestone and is located amongst the trees on a secluded southern point of the Observatory grounds. Inset within these spiral arms are large alignment stones marking the sunrises of the solstices and equinoxes. At night, the top of the chamber may be opened in order to observe the seasonal passing of prominent stars and objects at the zenith.

WPLN images and interview about the Star Chamber by Susan Knowles click on listen in MP3

Download flyer (right click) for a self-guided tour Page1 Page2


An original design sketch of the Star Chamber by Chris Drury

Drawings by Chris after the completion of the chamber.



Creation of the Star Chamber video and press release.

We want to give special thanks to Joseph Mella, Director of the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery,
for creating the opportunity for this project and his support throughout.

Images detailing the sculpture's construction and progress. Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.
Photos by Neil Brake, Daniel Dubois, Nancy Dwyer, Rocky Alvey, Billy Teets and Chris Drury

 


Below are time exposure Images of the interior of the Star Chamber acting as a Camera Obscura. The
blurred images resulted from wind. On a windy day, the images move gracefuly on the wall and floor, as
though in water. Color can be seen by the naked eye as well. On partially cloudy days, when the sun
peeks through are magical, as the clouds drift along the chamber walls and floor. Occasionally red-tailed
hawks and other birds will fly over the sculpture, their silhouettes are dramatic and easily followed.


Artist Chris Drury

With special thanks and appreciation to these donors- Roros Foundation, Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery, Louise Bullard Wallace Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. E William Ewers, Carol and Rob Stein, Hardaway Construction.